Anne of Austria
daughter of Philip III. of Spain, was born at Madrid in 1602, and in 1615 was married to Louis XIII. of France. Richelieu, fearing the influence of her foreign connections, did everything he could to humble her. In 1643 her hu husband died, and she was left regent, but placed under the control of a council. The parliament intrusted her with full sovereign rights during the minority of her son, Louis XIV. She incurred the hatred of the nobles by her boundless confidence in Cardinal Mazarin, and was forced to flee from Paris during the wars of the Fronde. She ultimately quelled all opposition, and was able, in 1661, to transmit to her son, unimpaired, the royal authority. She died in 1666 .